No. 20 Colorado lived up to Jaylyn Sherrod’s team mantra of “will over skill” taking down defending national champion and No. 1-ranked LSU, 92-78, in the season opener in Las Vegas.
The Buffaloes went up 10, 57-47, with 2:32 remaining in the third quarter on Frida Formann’s triple from just left of the top of the key and kept the defensive intensity up on the Tigers.
Formann scored 27 points, knocked down 7 of 10 from 3-point range, adding five rebounds and five assists. She delivered in big moments while leaning on Sherrod and junior center Aaronette Vonleh, who made 11 of 15 from the floor to finish with 24 points and six rebounds. LSU had no match for Vonleh and Colorado was fearless attacking the paint.
Colorado shot 44 percent from 3-point range and dealt head coach Kim Mulkey here third career opening-game loss. Mulkey last week Colorado was “playing LSU at the right time,” because of the many new players the Tigers are breaking in this season.
Freshman Mikaylah Williams scored a team-high 17 points for the Tigers. LSU All-American Angel Reese had 15 points and 12 rebounds but missed nine of her 15 shots. Senior guard Hailey Van Lith, a coveted transfer from Louisville, had 14 points, seven assists and four tunorvers. She made 4 of 11 attempts.
Quay Miller buried a 3 with 2:33 remaining in the game to nudge the lead to 88-71 but LSU’s Amani Barlett, who made a layup before the 3, hit a jumper to bring the lead back down to 15. Sherrod’s steal salted things away for the Buffaloes. She had 19 points, seven rebounds, six assists and three steals.
After falling behind in the first quarter, Colorado led 38-32 at halftime thanks to Sherrod’s 12 points and five rebounds.
–Field Level Media
